In Cairo’s Ard al-Liwa neighborhood, researchers, architects, and local craftspeople are experimenting with low-cost cooling solutions to combat rising urban heat. With summer temperatures often topping 40°C and tightly packed buildings trapping heat, air conditioning is both unaffordable and unsustainable for many residents. Inspired by ancient designs such as solar chimneys and Mashrabiya screens, the team built prototypes using wood, ceramics, and metal to channel hot air out and naturally cool rooms. This grassroots project, supported by international partners, highlights how traditional knowledge and local materials can offer a scalable and sustainable approach to climate resilience. For Cairo’s most vulnerable communities, these grassroots innovations provide an affordable path to cooler, greener urban living.
DW
